Centrifugal



Aug. M, 1945. G. M. NORMAN ET AL 2,382,574

' CENTRIFUGAL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet l 36 Ine 1 wild. I

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CENTRIFUGAL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 "III; as

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CENTRIFUG'AL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 WQQMW 1945. G. M. NORMAN ETAL 2,382,574

CENTRIFUGAL Filed 001:. 28, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 60R6 M NORMAN JOSEPH J 7' 04/? T I 3% W5 Mum Aug. 1945. e. M. NORMAN ETAL 2,382,574

CENTRIFUGAL.

Filed Oct. 28, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 (a: MJQQMW 1945 e. M. NORMAN EIAL 2,382,574

CENTRIFUGAL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 6,

650/965 M NORMA/V JOSEPH JTZ/A/PT 1T Aug. 14, 1945. G. M. NORMAN ETAL 2,382,574

CENTRIFUGAL Filed 001;. 28 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 650/965 M NflRMA/V JUJEPH ZTUA/W 17 Aug. 14 1945. M. NORMAN ETAL 2,382,574

' CENTRIFUGAL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 11 sheets-sheet a JQSEPH STU/1R7" 11 M8 (a-QM Wm,

Aug 14 1945 G. M. NORMAN ETAL 2,382,574

CENTRIFUGAL I Filed Oct. 28, 1941 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 I y %wii 0 Him-truck:

' amsw/w. NURMAN I JOS'PH JTUA/PT 11 i945- e. M. NORMAN ETAL 2,382,574

' CEYNTRIFUGAL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 650565 M NORM/IN JOSEPH S Tl/AHT 12' Aug. 14, 1945, G. M. NORMAN-ET AL 2,382,574 CENTRIFUGAL Filed Oct. 28, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet ll INVENTORS Y M4 (5. MW.

Arraklvsv Patented Aug. 14, 1945 CENTRIFUGAL George M. Norman, Fairville, Pa, and Joseph Stuart, II,

Wilmington,

DeL, anignors to Hercules Powder Company, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application October 28, 1941, Serial No. 416,850

Claims.

This invention relates to a machine and method for centrifugalLv removing liquids from solids and more particularly to a machine and method for centrirugally removing acid from nitrocellulose as, for example, nitrocellulose used in the manufacture of smokeless powder, plastics, protective coatings, etc., although it may be used for removing any suitable liquid from any suitable solid.

Conventional practice in the manufacture of ni--' trocellulose involves treating, for example, cotton with nitrating acid for a desired period of time by a batch process using a small batch at a time, thereupon opening the discharge valve 01' the nitrator, and rapidly discharging the entire charge into a centrifugal wringer. The wrlnger is then brought up to speed to remove the spent acid from the cotton. The spent acid is run by gravity from the outer jacket of the wringer to suitable recovery equipment. The wringer is stopped and the nitrocotton obtained is manually forked out through the bottom discharge of the wringer into a water immersion basin below. The labor and danger of manual handling and the delay incident to discontinuous operation are objectionable. Moreover, for safety, it is highly important that the nitrocotton be brought into contact with a large volume of water immediately after centrifugal removal of the acid. It is also necessary in existing practice to stop the centrifuge and fork out the nitrocotton, both steps requiring excessive time and causing too much delay for highest quality of product and safest working conditions.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a. centrifuge to be utilized as the aforementioned wringer but in which charging, removal of acid, discharging of separated acid, and discharging of the de-acidified nitrocellulose are eiiected automatically while the bowl of the centrifuge is continuously rotated. These steps eliminate the necessity for starting and stopping the machine. to efiect unloading and reloadin and furthermore, insure safety- Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this type in which the material being processed is discharged automatically at the proper time.

A further object is the provision of means for allowing oscillation or transverse vibration of the spindle and bowl without deleterious effects on the operation of the centrifuge.

Still another object is to provide an improved cellulose nitration process in which centrifuging is effectively and expeditiously performed.

Other objects of the invention will app ar hereinatter, the novel features and combinationsbeing set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein reference symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur, there is illustrated one form of apparatus for use in accordance with the present invention, and a modification thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the complete centriiuge.

Fig. 2 is a plan of Fla. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 01' Fig. 1, and shows the mechanism in liquid discharge position as well as general features of other appurtenant mechanism Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 01 Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan of a portion of the edge of the bowl bottom showing the grooves which allow the liquid to flow 011.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the portion shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 'l is an enlarged vertical section showing details of the liquid channels when the mechanism is in liquid discharge position.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section 01' the upper portion of the centrifuge showing the mechanism in solids discharge P ition.

Fig. 9 is apart elevation-part vertical section of the upper portion of the centrifuge showing the liquid discharge positioning means.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-ll of Fi 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section of the upper part of the centrifuge showing the mech anism for effecting liquid discharge or solids discharge.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section of the indicated portions! Fig. 11 showing details of the arrangement for obtaining fluid communication between bores in the rotating spindle and the non-rotating collar around it.

Fig. 13 is a. section on the line "-43 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line I 4-44 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a section on the line lS-l8 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a section on the line lB-li of Fig. 11.

Fig. 17 is a section on theline l'l-ll of Fig. 11.

Fig. 18 is a schematic view of the air pipin connections and pneumatic control.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view through the master control valve.

Fig. 20 is a section on the line 2l20 of Fi 19.

Fig. 21 is a, section on the line 2i-2I of Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is a section on the line 22--22 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 23 is a section on the line 23-23 of Fig.l9.

Figs. 24 to 29 inclusive are schematic views showing various positions of the master control 2 I assure ning oi charging;

Fig. 26 shows the valve position at the end of charging.

Fig. 26 shows the valve position as the liquid discharge mechanism starts to lower, the charging control being closed, and the fiush control starting to open. The bowl is about ready to start to raise.

l"lg.- 27 shows the valve position as the bowl is starting to raise. the liquid discharge mechanism being down, and the fiush control being starts to lower, the liquid mechanism being up, the fiush control still being open;

Fig. 29 shows the valve position at the start of the next cycle. and is identical to Fi 24.

1'18. 30 is an elevation'oi! a modified form of spacing thimble for maintaining the discharge opening between the bowl and sleeve.

Fig. 31 is a plan view of the thimble of Fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a horizontal section .looking upwardly, taken through the thimbles between the bowl and sleeve, said thimbles embodying the modified form.

' General In general the apparatus of the present invention embodies a casing, a vertical spindle arranged to allow oscillation of a bowl carried thereon, means including a slipping clutch for driving the spindle and thereby the bowl, which is conical and mounted on a sleeve with discharge openings between the bowl and sleeve, mechanism for raisin and lowering the bowl and sleeve and thereby adjusting the eirective size of the discharge openings for liquid and for positioning the discharge openings opposite a liquid curb which is likewise movable for rapid registration with the discharge openings, means formed in part by a casing cover and in .part by the top of the liquid curb constituting a solids curb or receiver for receiving the solids, and automatic timing mechanism .for pneumatically carrying out all of the steps of the operation continuously and without slowing down or stopping the centrifuge.

Spindle mm mechanism In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a casing member I is mounted on mounting plate 2 and has casing member 3 supported thereby, which in turn supports annular casting 4. A spindle I which drives a bowl, described hereinafter, is driven by means of pulley I, slip clutch I, transverse shafts l and la, gears I and I0, and vertical shaft II.

In order to allow for transverse and/or progressive oscillation of the upper end of spindle 5, a universal connection is made between thelower end of spindle I and the upper end oi shaft II. This takes the form of an internally splined sleeve l2 keyed and pinned to shai't II and universally engaging splines It on the lower end of spindle I. A self-aligning ball bearing ll having its inner race fixedly mounted on spindle I rotatably engages stationary race of Journal II. Around spindle I adjacent its upper end is a ball bearing It (Fig. 11) fixedly carried in a bearing member II which has a concave spherical lower surface which spherically engages a cooperating spherical bearing surface on the upper face of a bearing member II which is rigidly mountedbycapringlsinsupportcastingl. Interposed between members I! and II is a ring it of rubber 'or other suitable resilient material which tends to maintain member I! centered. The radius of the spherical contact surface between members I! and II is the distance to the 16 Fig. 23 shows the valve position as the bowl spindle I may oscillate ina dampened condition without damage.

Solid and liquid collecting means Curbs or "curbings" are provided for collect ing the solid and the liquid. The top of the solids curb Ila (Figs. s and 2) is formed by the cover 2| mounted fixedly on a collecting shell 22 having an annular sloping bottom 23 leading to discharge opening 24. The interior side of the solids curb is formed by a curving member it which also forms the top or the movable liquid curb Ila.

The liquid curb Ila comprises top member II, annular bottom member 2|, ring 21 which rigidly interconnects II and 20, ring is which faces a sleeve to be described hereinafter, and skirt It which telescopically overhangs the inner face SI of solids collecting shell 22. The liquid curb also fixedly carries an outlet pipe 3| which teleseopically engages an outlet 22 mounted to cast- Water for flushing the charge of solids as it leaves the solids curb lie is introduced by way of inlet 32 or may be tangentially introduced at any desirable point. a

The solid and liquid curbs are annular to accommodate the bowl II in a manner which will presently appear. The bowl 2! is charged by means of char ing pipe 34 (1'18- 3 n i fl s by water introduced through pipe 3| (Fig. 3)

mounted at an angle for thorough and rapid fiushing.

Bowl and sleeve construction In Figs. 3 and 11, the bowl- 3' projects upwardly through the two curbs lust described and comprises an upwardly and inwardly tapered wall integral with a flange 31 which is rigidly attached to rotatable cylindrical sleeve is by means of spaced bolts 33 passing through cylindrical spacers or thimbles ll. In Figs. 30, 31 and 32 an alternative embodiment utilizing a diiIerent type thimble a is shown. For certain processing this type thimble is preferred to the cylindrical type illustrated in the other figures. The thimble a has a generally triangular cross-section forming a leading edge b, the sides c being so designed that in a symmetric arrangement of thimbles the adjacent sides of adjacent thimbles are parallel thereby eliminating the danger of clogging due to converging the material being discharged. These thimbles provide a discharge opening between the bowl and the sleeve for the discharge of liquid or solids into their respective curbs.

The bowl it is bottomed by a spool-like member 42 having an upper fiange ll, said spool 42 having a central cylindrical portion 43 and a bottom flange 44. A ring packing gland is and a ring packing gland a are provided in fianges 4i and 44, respectively, of the spool 42. Theringpacking lands llaanduaarein slidable and frictional engagement with cylindrical sleeve 83. The frictional engagement oi these glands with the sleeve as causes the sleeve to rotate with the spool 42. Accordingly, rotation is imparted to the bowl,38 by connection of elements 31', 38 and 48 which serve to connect the bowl to the sleeve as hereinbefore described. Spool 42 is supported on top of and pinned to spindle by means of pin 42a. Upper flange 4| is detachably rigidly secured by bolts 45 to sleeve 48 which limits rocking motion of spool 42 about spindle 5 and to which is rigidly se cured the central portion 43 of the spool-like member.

Upper flange 4| is of a thickness greater than that of lower flange 44 by the distance between the adjacent faces of flange 31 of bowl 38 and sleeve 38, so that when the bowl 38 and sleeve 38 are down the upper face 41 of flange 4| is on a level with the lower face 48 of bowl I5.

Fixedly mounted centrally of upper flange 4| which forms the bottom of bowl 38 is a vaned spinner 49 which prevents the material dumped into the bowl by way of pipe 34 from building up into an unbalanced condition.

To allow liquid to flow out from the bowl when the bowl and sleeve are down, radially disposed shallow grooves 48a (Figs. 5 to 7) are provided in the periphery of the upper face 47 of upper flange 4| of spool 42. These grooves are preferably not over 0.125" in depth. As shown in Fig. 7, when the bowl and sleeve are down, these grooves form the only exit for liquid centrifuged out of the solids. The arrangement effectually prevents clogging of the discharge with solids during charging and centrifuging but allows ready discharge of liquid to the liquid curb a.

Bowl positioning mechanism Fluid-operated means is provided for raising or lowering the bowl 38 and holding it in a raised or lowered position. Preferably, the operating fluid is compressed air which is preferred because of the almost instantaneous response as compared to the slow response when a liquid is used. Two operating compartments are formed between the flanges 4| and 44 (Figs. 11 and 12) of the spool-like member 42 by means of a piston flange 58 which is integral with sleeve 38. Flange 58 extends inwardly into frictional, sliding and sealing engagement with the central cylindrical portion 43 of the spool-like member 42, the actual contact being through surface of bearing 5|. Flanges 4| and 44 likewise extend into frictional sliding and sealing relationship with the interior surface of sleeve 38, as provided by the ring packing glands 4|2 and 442, respectively.

To prevent flanges 4| and 44 from flush contact with the faces of piston flange 58, flange 58 is provided on either side with discontinuous projections 52 (Fig. 1'7). Thus, it is insured that the air admitted under pressure to either compartment is effective to push the piston flange 58 away from the bottom face of flange 4| or the top face of flange 44.

Operating air under pressure is admitted to or allowed to exhaust from either of the operating compartments by suitable passages connected to bores 53 and 54 in member 4, which lead by way of flexible conduits 55 and 56 respectively to connection with labyrinth sealing means (Fig. 12). Communication to the upper compartment is established by way of conduit 55 (Figs. 11 and 12), groove 58 in collar 51, bores 58 in rotating collar 88, groove 8| in collar 68, bores 82 and 52a in spindle 5, vertical pipe 53 mounted in spindle 5, through bores 54 and 55 adjustable by screw 85, then through vertical bores 5! in a member 88, then out the upper end of spindle 5 into horizontal passageways 58 downwardly through vertical bores 18 and horizontally through bores 1| into the upper compartment.

Communication between conduit 55 and the lower compartment is by way of groove 13 in collar 51, bore 14 and groove 15 in collar 58, bore 15, annular passageway 11 between pipe 83 and spindle 5. bores 18 in spindle 5, bores 18 in member 45, and bores 88 in member 48 leading into the lower compartment.

The escape of air between members 51 and 58 isminimized by means of the ribs 8| (Fig. 12) projecting alternately from members 5! and 88 into rotatable sealing engagement with the adjacent relatively movable surface.

Liquid curb positioning mechanism In Figs. 3 and 8, the liquid curb 25a is supported on either side by means of a collar 82 fixedly attached to the lower side of bottom member 25. This collar is rigidly attached to a vertically slidable shaft 83 journalled in journal 34 which is mounted in member 4. The shafts 83 extend downwardly into operative engagement with cranks and 8511 (Figs. 1 and 9) which are fixedly mounted on transverse shaft 85. The transverse shaft 85 is journalled in housings 81 which are integral with casing member 3. Bell crank 85a is pivoted to a piston rod 88 of a double acting air cylinder 88 which is pivoted at its upper end to casing support member 4.

Control mechanism In Figs. 18 and 19, control of bowl positioning, liquid curb-positioning, charging and flushing is effected automatically by means of master control valve 88 which has a rotatable valve member 8| rotated by a motor 82 driving a shaft 83 at constant speed (preferably 2 R. P. M. in order to give a 15 second operating cycle). The motor 82 operates valve 88 through chain 84, reducing gear 85 and dog clutch 88.

Air under pressure is admitted to the bore 81 of master timing valve 88 whence it is directed in accordance with the angular position of valve member 8|.

Valve member 8| has four individual controls: 88 (Fig. 20) which controls bowl positioning, 88 (Fig. 21) which controls acid curb positioning, I88 (Fig. 22) which controls charging of the bowl and IM (Fig. 23) which controls flushing of the bowl. Control |88 admits air to pneumatically operated charging valve I82 (Fig. 18) which controls flow through charging pipe 34 (Fig. 3) into the bowl, while control |8| admits air to flushing valve I83 (Fig. 18) which controls flow of water or other.

flusing liquid through flushing pipe 35 (Fig. 3) to the bowl.

Operation An example for operation of the invention is given for the removal of acid from nitrated cellulose. It will be assumed that the liquid curb 25a is up and the bowl 36 is down, the position of the valve member 8| being as is illustrated in Fig. 24, and that the bowl has attained a predetermined speed by allowing clutch 1 to slip until the bowl is up to the predetermined speed at which time slippage of the clutch ceases and drive is direct. The time controlled air valve 88 is started in operation and carries the apparatus through a 15 second cycle, a description of which follows with the position of valve member ll, indicated in the following fi ures by numerals II, N, I" and III which represent bowl control, acid curb control, charge control, and flush control, respectively.

With the valve member II in the position shown in Fig. 24, the charging valve III is open to charge the rotating bowl I. with a liquid-solid slurry of nitrated cellulose by pipe 34. The acid (liquid) is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force ,and flows out through grooves "a through the discharge spaces between thimbles 40 into the acid (liquid) curb "a, and thence leaves the machine by way of outlet 32.

After a suitable interval the control valve member OI attains the position shown in Fig. 25, in which the bowl I. and acid curb Ila are unchanged but the charging valve III is Just beginning to close.

After the acid is completely separated from the nitrocellulose, the valve member 8| attains'the position of Fig. 26, in which the charging valve I I! is closed, the acid curb 25a has started to lower and the flushing valve I has started to open, for subsequent flushing of the nitrocellulose into the solids curb lie. The discharge opening from the bowl 3. to the acid curb Ila is now totally out of register.

When the valve member OI attains the position shown in Fig. 27, the bowl I! has started to raise so that the formerly restrained nitrocellulose now freely passes out through the discharge space into the solids curb 2la, the acid curb 25a is all the way down. and the flushing valve III is fully opened. Flushing is just about complete.

When the valve member 9| attains the position shown in Fig, 28, the bowl 36 has started to lower, the acid curb "a has already been raised, and the flushing valve I" is Just beginning to be closed.

When the valve member attains the position shown in Fig. 29, the bowl 3. is all the way down,

the acid curb flu is up, and the flushing valve III is closed and another cycle is initiated.

It is evident that there are numerous factors which will influence condition for the most satisfactory operation of the invention, the actual limit of which cannot be established except by a detailed study of each set of materials to be processed.

By changing the control valving the sequence of steps in a cycle and the time for each step can be altered to accommodate a specific set of conditions.

Extremely rapid centrifuging is accomplished in the present invention due to the rapid change from liquid discharge to solids discharge and vice versa. The bowl and liquid curb move in opposite directions at approximately the same time thereby greatly accelerating the registration of the dischargeopening with the liquid curb or solids curb.

The taper of the bowl and the arrangement of the bowl bottom cause the charge to exert a pronounced lifting effect on the bowl during centrifuging. This is a very desirable feature as automatic discharge of the contents is effected with clogging and compaction of th discharge openings substantially eliminated.

It will be seen, therefore, that this invention actually may be carried out by the use of various modifications and changes without departing from its spirit and scope.

What we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

' ber.

assasvs 1. In a machine for centrifuging material to separate liquid from solids, a spool-like member having an upper flangeand a lower dense. and rigidly secured to a rotatable driving member; a cylindrical sleeve provided with a piston flange, said sleeve engaging the flanges of the spool, and the piston flange of the said sleeve engaging the spool between the spool flanges and spaced from said flanges thereby forming a sealed piston chamber for said piston flange; frictional engaging means between the spool-like member and the cylindrical sleeve to permit reciprocative vertical movement of said sleeve as actuated by its piston flange and to provide rotation of the sleeve with said spool-like member; a bowl for th material having an increased diameter at its bottom and rigidly secured "to the cylindrical sleeve in spaced relationship thereto to provide discharge openings for said material, said bowl having its bottom formed by the upper flange of the spoollike member; a plurality of radially disposed shallow grooves provided at the periphery of the upper surface of the upper flange of the spool-like member; means for supplying fluid medium to the upper portion of the piston chamber to actuate the piston flange to a position adjacent the lower flange of the spool-like member whereby the bowl having its bottom formed by the upper flange of the spool-like member retains the solids and the liquid is discharged from the grooves in the upper flange through the discharge openings, and means for exhausting said fluid medium from the upper portion of the piston chamber; and means for supplying fluid medium to the lower portion of the piston chamber to actuate the piston flange to a position adjacent the upper flange of the spool-lik member whereby the bowl having its bottom formed by the upper flange of the spool-like member releases the solids and the solids are discharged through the discharge openings, and means for exhausting said fluid medium from the lower portion of the piston cham- 2. In the machine for centrifuging material to separate liquid from solids according to claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the upper flange of th spool-like member has rigidly secured thereto a plurality of radially disposed protrusions adapted to prevent the material within the bowl from building up into an unbalanced condition.

- 3. In the machine for centrifuging material separate liquid from solids according to claim 1 wherein the frictional engaging means between the spool-like member and the cylindrical sleeve comprises a ring packing gland secured to the upper flange of the spool-like member and a ring packing gland secured to the lower flange of the spool-like member.

5. In a machine for centrifuging material to separate liquid from solids, a spool-like member having an upper flange and a lower flange, and rigidly secured to a rotatable driving member; a cylindrical sleeve provided with a piston flange, said sleeve engaging the flanges of the spool, and the piston flange of the said sleeve engaging the spool between the spool flanges and spaced from 4. In the machine for centrifuging material to said flanges thereby forming a sealed piston chamber for said piston flange; frictional engaging means between the spool-like member and the cylindrical sleeve to permit reciprocative vertical movement of said sleeve as actuated by its piston flange and to provide rotation of the sleeve with said spool-like member; a bowl for the material having an increased diameter at its bottom and rigidly secured to the cylindrical sleeve in spaced relationship thereto to provide discharge openings for said material, said bowl having its bottom formed by the upper flange of the spool-like member; a plurality of radially disposed shallow grooves provided at the periphery of the upper surface of the upper flange of the spool-like member; means for supplying fluid medium to the upper portion of the piston chamber to actuate the piston flange to a position adjacent the lower flange of the spool-like member whereby the bowl having its bottom formed by the upper flange of said spool-like member retains the solids and the liquid is discharged from the grooves in said upper flange through the discharge openings, and means for exhausting said fluid medium from th upper portion of the pistuate the piston flange to a position adjacent the upper flange of the spool-like member whereby the bowl having its bottom formed by the upper flange of said spool-like member releases the solids and the solids are discharged through the discharge openings, and means for exhausting said fluid medium from the lower portion of the piston chamber: a stationary solids curb surrounding the discharge openings for receiving the solids and a vertically movable liquid curb disposed within the solids curb for receiving the liquid, said liquid curb adapted to be moved into communication with the discharge openings when the liquid is being discharged therefrom and out of communication with the discharge openings when the solids are being discharged therefrom, whereby the liquid and the solids are discharged into their respective curbs; means for egress of the liquid from the liquid curb; and means for egress of the solids away from the solids curb.

GEORGE M. NORMAN. JOSEPH STUART, II. 

